Molly Tea recently launched a pomelo-coconut series, including three new drinks: Pomelo Apple Coconut, Pomelo Jasmine Coconut, and Pomelo White Orchid Coconut. With a combination of refreshing pomelo-mint milk foam and fruit coconut water, they quickly attracted a large number of consumers. However, the most popular Pomelo Apple Coconut showed an abnormal phenomenon after adding the milk foam: the pink color faded, white flocculent substances appeared, and the liquid became cloudy like soy milk, raising customers' doubts about beverage safety and store ingredients. Store employees explained that this was caused by a chemical reaction between the protein in the milk foam and the vitamin C in the apple juice and pomelo juice, and was not due to spoiled ingredients. This article will reconstruct the course of the incident, consumer feedback, and the official response, and include the professional perspective of Front Street Coffee to help you understand the scientific principles behind this color-changing drink. [more…]

The coffee flavor wheel can be considered one of the most valuable tools in the coffee field, and the SCAA has undertaken its first major update since its creation 21 years ago. This revision relied on deep collaboration between the World Coffee Research organization and the SCAA, bringing together the collective wisdom of sensory experts, researchers, coffee buyers, and roasters, becoming the largest and most participatory flavor wheel research project to date, and giving rise to a series of new terms in the industry and professional field. This article will guide you from the structure of the old flavor wheel, gradually analyzing the details of the changes in the new version, including the addition of a large number of fruit and plant flavor descriptors such as strawberry, blueberry, jasmine, and grapefruit, helping you fully understand this common language of the coffee world. [more…]

The last stop of Heytea's bottled beverage "Inspiration Bus" has arrived in Shanghai, partnering with 13 independent coffee shops across the Jing'an, Changning, Xuhui, and Huangpu districts to launch 22 limited-edition "Inspiration Coffee" drinks. The bus previously stopped in Guangzhou and Chengdu, where it teamed up with 20 and 23 coffee shops respectively to roll out dozens of specialty drinks. Heytea's ties to coffee can be traced back to 2014, and it has continued to launch new products since then, officially entering the coffee arena in 2021 by investing in SEESAW COFFEE. However, these specialty drinks mixed with fruit juice and sparkling water, while friendly to those new to coffee, raise a question: are people who drink specialty coffee really savoring the flavor of coffee? Perhaps while enjoying mixed drinks, we should also bravely take a step forward to experience the unique charm of pure coffee. [more…]

Luckin Coffee is known for frequently launching new products, but not every new release wins market favor. The light coconut milk series has received a lukewarm response since its launch: the raw coconut light milk tea was criticized as inferior to Assam, and the raw coconut Americano was even mockingly called dishwater. To reduce waste, the brand switched to mini-sized ingredients, but with little effect. In the end, these two products were completely removed from the menu, with employees busy destroying inventory while consumers looked on with glee. Front Street Coffee takes you through the rise and fall of this product trial. [more…]

It is not uncommon for chain coffee brands to destroy inventory in bulk due to expired ingredients or quality issues, but what Luckin recently discarded on a large scale was a batch of coconut royale series ingredients that were still within their shelf life. This pink liquid was not spoiled, but rather the normal color of the third-anniversary limited-edition product. From the April collaboration with Pop Mart that triggered a buying frenzy, to now going days in stores without selling a single cup, the fate of the coconut royale series reflects the harsh reality after a new product's hype fades. Front Street Coffee notes that this incident has also sparked consumer discussion about product lifecycles and inventory management. [more…]

Cold brew and ice drip are usually recommended to be enjoyed black in coffee shops, so as to savor the unique flavor layers of low-temperature extraction. But for coffee lovers who are keen on making coffee at home, these two types of coffee are far more versatile than that. By adding different ingredients such as fruit, dried flowers, preserved plums, milk, or coconut water, an ordinary cold brew can transform into a completely different taste experience. This article compiles five hidden ways to drink cold brew and ice drip summarized by Front Street Coffee, explaining everything from bean selection to pairing ideas one by one, helping you easily recreate at home the creative specialty drinks sold for fifty yuan a cup in coffee shops. [more…]

Cold brew coffee is usually recommended to be enjoyed black, in order to appreciate the pure flavor after low-temperature extraction, but when making it at home, it actually offers plenty of room for creativity. Front Street Coffee has put together five hidden ways to drink it today: adding fruit, dried flowers, preserved plums, milk, or coconut water — each one gives cold brew a completely different personality. Beans suitable for fruit cold brew include natural-process Huakui, washed Fruit Punch, Strawberry Candy, Sidra, and Kenyan Cherry Tomato; when choosing fruit, pay attention to whether it can withstand long soaking and whether its aroma is compatible — Kyoho grapes, white peaches, lychees, strawberries, cherries, and sweet oranges are all good choices. As for dried flowers, osmanthus, jasmine, and rose pair best with light-to-medium roast beans that have floral and fruity notes. Preserved plums and nine-process dried tangerine peel can bring a complex aroma with salty-sour notes and a sweet aftertaste. Milk cold brew comes in two forms: direct soaking and mixing in fresh milk. Coconut water mixed with cold brew at a 1:1 ratio is refreshing and cooling. [more…]

Cold brew is usually recommended to be enjoyed black, so as to appreciate the pure flavors and smooth mouthfeel that low-temperature extraction imparts. However, home enthusiasts have long since explored a rich variety of ways to flavor it. Simply by swapping in a different ingredient, cold brew can be transformed into a completely different taste experience. This time, Front Street Coffee has systematically put together five simple and easy-to-make innovative cold brew recipes—from fruit and dried flowers to preserved plums, milk, and coconut water—analyzing the principles of ingredient selection and pairing tips one by one, and offering practical suggestions down to the specific bean varieties and ratios. Whether you prefer bright fruity notes or rich milky flavors, you can find the cup that suits you, and easily recreate at home a limited-edition specialty drink that rivals any coffee shop. [more…]

National drink Coconut Palm Coconut Juice breaks its 34-year tradition of "no collaboration with outside parties" for the first time, launching a dream crossover with Luckin Coffee. One is a time-honored coconut juice brand whose formula and packaging have remained unchanged for decades, while the other is a chain coffee brand that sparked the coconut latte craze. This collaboration is both driven by market trends and an attempt by an old brand to seek a new wave of attention. The co-branded cup sleeves continue Coconut Palm's iconic color-block layout style. Although the new products will not officially launch until April 11, some stores have already begun using the co-branded cup sleeves for预热. Can this collaboration replicate the sales miracle of the coconut line? And why did Coconut Palm Coconut Juice choose to "break out of its circle" at this moment? This article will take you through the development history of Coconut Palm and analyze the background and highlights of this collaboration. [more…]

Recently, the yogurt brand Blueglass launched the "Superboy Boyfriend Power Comeback" series, adding traditional Chinese medicine ingredients such as Cistanche, Polygonatum, ginseng, deer whip, and oyster peptides. The intention might have been to promote a health concept, but it was questioned for borderline marketing due to the poster labeling it "18+" and suggestive copy. Similarly, Coconut Palm brand coconut juice was fined 400,000 yuan for vulgar advertising slogans, yet it generated over 5 billion yuan in sales. In an era where traffic is king, eye-catching marketing emerges endlessly, but not all of it yields good results. After Blueglass was exposed, the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation has launched an investigation, and the relevant copy was revised and republished. However, the negative label brought by borderline marketing may not be easily erased from consumers' minds. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently launched its Ice-Shaken Espresso series and, in collaboration with Black Myth: Wukong, rolled out its second co-branded campaign, adding three new products: Coconut Ice-Shaken Espresso, Beer Ice-Shaken Espresso, and Oat Ice-Shaken Espresso. This marks Luckin Coffee's official entry into the "shaker era," where staff must vigorously shake the drink in a shaker cup at least 8 times to meet the serving standard. However, although the new products drew many netizens to place orders, reviews on social media generally suggest that their taste falls short of Starbucks' Iced Shaken Espresso series—and even fails to match Luckin's own Coconut Latte. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the background behind this launch, the product features, and the genuine feedback from netizens. [more…]

Every summer, coconut-flavored coffee becomes a popular choice. From refreshing coconut water Americano to rich coconut milk latte, thick coconut milk latte, and the uniquely flavored coconut milk dirty, coconut ingredients at different stages of maturity give coffee vastly different taste experiences. Compiled by Front Street Coffee, this article takes you through the maturation changes of coconuts from young to old, and which coffee drinks each stage of coconut is suited for, and shares specific recipes and methods for coconut water Americano, coconut milk latte, thick coconut milk latte, and coconut milk dirty, helping coffee lovers recreate the layered summer coconut coffee series at home. [more…]

Recently, Luckin Coffee launched two limited-edition iced drinks in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, offering local consumers a new way to cool off. However, the naming of the new products sparked widespread discussion: the Guangzhou versions are called "Coconut Shakerato" and "Vanilla Shakerato," while the Shenzhen versions are simply called "Coconut Iced Shaken Espresso" and "Vanilla Iced Shaken Espresso." This inevitably brings to mind the "Iced Shaken Espresso series" on the Starbucks menu. The two are quite similar in preparation method and product positioning, but their prices differ greatly. Is Luckin's new product trying to keep up with Starbucks? How do consumers view this affordable alternative? This article will provide a detailed analysis for you. [more…]

Cotti Coffee recently launched its Cloud Top Mousse series nationwide, with all three new drinks priced at 9.9 yuan. The series uses IIAC Gold Award coffee beans and features three flavors: Opera Latte, Sea Blue Coconut Latte, and Matcha Latte. The brand also collaborated with Gucci collaborating illustrator Jayde Fish to launch co-branded merchandise and held review campaigns on social media. However, after launch, many consumers reported that the mousse topping portion was on the small side, and some even questioned whether the coffee liquid was missing. In response to these issues, store staff gave a response. This article will comprehensively sort through the new product information, flavor characteristics, and market feedback, and attach Front Street Coffee's professional perspective. [more…]

Luckin Coffee is known for its frequent new product launches, with new items appearing almost every week and regional exclusives emerging endlessly. However, consumers' fickleness is equally astonishing; once-popular hits like the Moutai series and toasted coconut series quickly became slow-moving products after their hype faded. Some store employees report that opened ingredients have extremely short shelf lives, and any unused portions must be poured out entirely; discarding a whole box every two days has become the norm for evening shifts. This not only causes food waste but also reflects the brand's imbalance between launching new products and inventory management. Front Street Coffee keeps an eye on industry trends, and this article takes you behind the scenes at Luckin stores to understand the current state of ingredient waste. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's Rui Na Bing series has long been regarded by employees as the most difficult drinks to make, especially the Matcha Rui Na Bing, which will be completely discontinued after stores close on September 26. This news has left many Luckin staff breathing a sigh of relief, with voices of celebration everywhere on social media. However, some level-headed partners remind everyone not to celebrate too soon—next week Luckin will launch a brand-new collaboration campaign, and new items such as Raw Coconut Mango Pomelo Sago may be even more of a headache than Rui Na Bing. This article sorts out why Rui Na Bing became an employee nightmare, the specific timing of its discontinuation, and the operational challenges the new products may bring as they take over. Front Street Coffee is also paying attention to this change and providing coffee lovers with the latest interpretation. [more…]

Starbucks' mini-program and App suddenly experienced a coupon bug, quickly shooting to the top of trending searches, after which the system entered a maintenance state. Official customer service said it was a system malfunction and that issued coupons could still be redeemed normally. However, the timing of the incident was sensitive, and many netizens speculated about the motives behind it—either to divert public pressure from the foreign object incident the previous day, or to respond to the sales heat of Luckin and Coconut Palm's co-branded Coconut Cloud Latte, which sold 660,000 cups on its first day. In the foreign object incident, the store manager's response and the "deaf-mute partner" explanation sparked controversy, casting a shadow over Starbucks' long-cultivated image of being friendly to disabled employment. At the same time, Starbucks' 24 solar terms series drinks received a lukewarm market response. How exactly should the brand rebuild consumer trust? This article sorts out the timeline of events and viewpoints from all sides for you. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's latest 2023 store price list has been announced, clearly listing prices for series such as the Classic Latte, SOE Little Black Cup, and the Raw Coconut Family. However, consumers have recently discovered that the same drink is priced differently at different stores, and in some cases the pickup price is even higher than the delivery price—a phenomenon that has sparked widespread discussion. Luckin Coffee officially responded that, due to differences in logistics and operating costs, stores may apply for price adjustments, with a maximum increase of 3 yuan. This article compiles the complete price list and reviews the changes in Luckin's pricing strategy and their impact on consumers. [more…]

Luckin Coffee has amazed everyone in recent years with its rapid product iteration and endless stream of new releases, but have you noticed that prices actually differ from store to store? This article compiles Luckin's latest 2023 price list, covering classic coffees, the Little Black Cup SOE series, the Coconut Latte family, Velvet Latte, and other popular products, and also ranks the top ten drinks most worth trying. At the same time, it provides an in-depth analysis of phenomena such as price differences caused by store tiering and self-pickup being more expensive than delivery, combining media investigations and statements from store staff. In addition, the article also retains related recommendations from Front Street Coffee for coffee lovers' reference. Whether you are a regular Luckin customer or a coffee beginner, this article can help you choose that cup more wisely. [more…]

In the past two years, Luckin Coffee has undergone a remarkable transformation, from a financial fraud scandal to debt restructuring and doubled revenue, with a completely renewed brand image and product strategy. This article reviews Luckin's current top ten most popular drinks, including Raw Coconut Latte, Raw Cheese Latte, Thick Milk Latte, Velvet Latte, Iced Americano, Yirgacheffe Dirty, Coconut Cloud Latte, Meteorite Latte, Biluochun Spring Latte, and Okinawa Brown Sugar Velvet Latte, and looks back at its comeback from the brink of bankruptcy to becoming the largest coffee chain in the country. How Luckin revived itself with the Raw Coconut Latte, stabilized its coffee customer base with the SOE specialty series, teamed up with Coconut Palm to create a hit, and signed Eileen Gu for precise marketing—this article explains it all for you. Follow Front Street Coffee to gain a deeper understanding of Luckin's brand transformation and product appeal. [more…]